Italy Deputy PM faces prosecution for blocking migrant boat
The boat, operated by the charity Open Arms, was stranded at sea for nearly three weeks before being allowed to land on the island of Lampedusa after a court ruling.
Italian prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in connection with his 2019 decision to block a migrant boat from docking.
The boat, operated by the charity Open Arms, was stranded at sea for nearly three weeks before being allowed to land on the island of Lampedusa after a court ruling.
At the time, Salvini was serving as Italy’s interior minister. He faces charges of kidnapping and neglecting his duties, which he denies.
Defending his actions, Salvini stated he was trying to prevent Italy from becoming "Europe's refugee camp," and maintained he was "guilty of defending Italy and Italians."
The Open Arms vessel was carrying 147 migrants rescued near the Libyan coast when it was denied access to Lampedusa, an island that has become a frequent arrival point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
Salvini had enforced a strict "closed ports" policy aimed at deterring human trafficking by discouraging such migrant journeys.
However, during the trial, crew members from Open Arms testified that the health and living conditions aboard the ship deteriorated while it was held offshore, leading to a scabies outbreak among other issues.
Prosecutor Geri Ferrara emphasized in court that "human rights must take precedence over state sovereignty" in a democratic system.
Salvini testified in January that he believed the situation on the ship was under control and not critical.
The trial, which began in October 2021, may conclude with a verdict next month. If found guilty, Salvini could face a ban from holding public office in addition to the jail sentence.
In response to the prosecution's request, Salvini reiterated his stance on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Defending Italy is not a crime and I won’t stop, not now, not ever." He argued that his policies had led to a decrease in migrant arrivals and fatalities in the Mediterranean, and that the Open Arms ship was free to dock anywhere except in Italy.
